Financial Crime Allegations Surrounding Communication Contract
The case involving the "Ehrou Abrou and others" has been referred to the Primary Criminal Chamber responsible for financial crimes at the Court of Appeal in Fes. This case concerns allegations of procedural violations and forgery tied to the public tender process initiated by the Council of the Drâa-Tafilalet region for communication services last year. Allegations suggest that the tender process for obtaining communication and promotional services, specifically contract number 11/2025, was marred by unlawful practices involving key members of the council.
According to informed sources, the complainant—a company that participated in the tender—provided statements to the judicial police in Errachidia regarding suspected breaches of legal procedures during the opening of the contract bids. These allegations implicate significant figures within the Council of Drâa-Tafilalet, including Abdelwahid Hamidi, the Director General of Services and a permanent member of the bid opening committee, Rashidi Hassani, the head of the committee, and Ehrou Abrou, the president of the council. They are accused of playing crucial roles in selecting the awarded company and issuing service orders.
The complainant’s grievance, which is available to "Aljihah8," underscores serious concerns regarding forgery and data manipulation aimed at favoring a company closely associated with the party of the regional council president. This suspicion is bolstered by significant discrepancies in the official documents released by the council, which warrant the annulment of the tender and the accountability of those involved.
Procedural Violations in Tender Process
Documentation and testimonies indicate that on the scheduled date of July 23, 2025, the head of the bid opening committee was absent, resulting in a postponement of the bid opening by 48 hours. The council’s administration informed the bidders through direct communication about this absence and the subsequent delay, which was set to take place on July 25, 2025. However, witnesses present on the initial date reported that no meeting was convened to open the bids as intended.
The National Commission for Public Procurement previously concluded, in its opinion number 474/17, that the legal procedures differ significantly when the head of the bid committee is absent compared to other members. While the head may postpone the meeting in the absence of a treasury representative or a finance ministry representative, their absence on the designated opening date constitutes a serious procedural flaw that cannot be rectified by merely postponing the meeting. This situation legally necessitates the cancellation of the entire tender proposal, as stipulated in Article 45 of the regulations governing public procurement, in order to maintain the integrity of the administration in the eyes of the invited bidders.
Nevertheless, the council proceeded with opening the bids after the 48-hour delay, a fact documented in a letter from President Ehrou Abrou to one of the participating companies. In this communication, the president confirmed that the bids were opened on July 25, 2025, at the council's headquarters, suggesting potential legal violations and breaches of Article 45 of the public procurement regulations, as well as disregard for the National Commission's advisory opinion.
This unfolding scandal has garnered significant media attention, particularly regarding the identity of the winning company, leading to the council publishing the final report after the committee's work concluded. The report stated that the bid opening occurred on the original date, July 23, raising further questions about the integrity of the entire process.
As reported by aljiha8.com.
